Fact To Know About Early Menopause

Fact To Know About Early Menopause

Fact To Know About Menstruation is the process by which a woman ovulates or releases an egg ready for fertilized by a sperm. As a woman ages, she ceases menstruation by no longer producing hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, necessary to ovulate. This is known as menopause.

While most women experience menopause in their late 40s and 50s, some women go through it much earlier. If a woman has the menopause before age 40, this is known as early menopause.

Early menopause may be induced by medical treatments or, as a side effect of them. However, some women may experience early menopause due to unexplained factors.

It is important for a woman to talk to her doctor if she is going through early menopause, as this condition can affect her health.

Early menopause can occur naturally and may be caused by genetics or surgery.

Both medical treatments and other factors can result in early menopause. Some of the most common causes of early menopause include:

Genetics (family history): Women who have a close family relative, such as a mother or grandmother, who went through early menopause, they are more likely to do the same themselves.

Autoimmune disorder: A disorder where the body’s immune system attacks the body itself. Sometimes an autoimmune disorder, such as thyroid disease or rheumatoid arthritis, can damage the tissues in the ovaries, affecting their abilities to make hormones. This can result in early menopause.

Cancer: Undergoing chemotherapy or radiation to the pelvis for cancer can damage the cells in the ovaries, resulting in early menopause. Not all women who receive radiation and chemotherapy treatments for pelvic cancers will experience early menopause. However, it is a possibility.

Surgery to remove the uterus or ovaries: An operation to remove the ovaries is known as an oophorectomy, and it can induce what is called surgical menopause. Because the ovaries are removed, overall hormone levels fall. While surgery to remove the uterus does not always result in immediate menopause, some women may experience menopause early because of this, too.

When a woman experiences early menopause that is not a result of medical intervention, this condition is known as primary ovarian insufficiency.

Urinary incontinence can be a long-term complication of early menopause.

Menopause and the associated changes in hormones cause a number of symptoms in a woman. Hot flashes may be temporary, but there are other long-term effects that can impact on a woman’s life and health.

While the hormones produced in the ovaries play a role in sexual function, they are also important for a woman’s overall health.

Going through early menopause at a young age can affect a woman’s childbearing years. As a result, she will not be able to get pregnant. This can have a far-reaching, psychological impact.

Other long-term complications associated with early menopause include:

Dense bones are harder to break and are therefore considered healthier than less dense ones. A lack of estrogen results in more brittle bones. This can make a woman prone to osteoporosis, or thin bones.

Women going through early menopause have a greater risk for broken bones, such as those of the hips, wrists, and spine.

The lack of estrogen due to early menopause can result in thinning vaginal tissues. This can result in increased risk for urinary incontinence, especially when coughing, laughing, or lifting heavy objects.

Eating a balanced diet. Early menopause can mean a woman needs more calcium and vitamin D to maintain her bone health. She may need more vitamin B12 and vitamin B6, as well. Eating a balanced, healthful diet usually means women get the vitamins and minerals they need.

Exercising regularly. Getting regular exercise not only relieves stress, it can also promote better sleep at night. However, a woman should avoid exercising too close to bedtime, as this can affect the ability to go to sleep.

If a woman experiences urinary incontinence related to early menopause, she should talk to her doctor. Recommendations include interventions such as drinking less as the day goes on, or performing Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor.